More than 40,000 low-income workers to be treated to free cinema screenings

The Labour of Love initiative, as it has been called, is being funded by du and run by BigZ, an event organiser in Dubai

The outdoor screenings are to be held for low-income workers in accommodation camps.

More than 40,000 hardworking labourers across three emirates are to be treated to weekly free cinema screenings and mobile phone top-ups.

The movies will be shown on big screens every Thursday, for the next two months, at 40 worker accommodation sites in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The Labour of Love initiative, as it is being called, is funded by du and run by BigZ, an event organiser in Dubai.

Telecoms company du will distribute 50,000 mobile phone recharge cards during the screenings, worth a total of Dh100,000.

“The labour community in the UAE continues to strongly contribute to nation-building,” du executive Abdulwahed Juma said.

“By organising these movie nights and distributing recharge cards, we wish to create memorable moments for the labourers.”

Navneet Kaur, BigZ managing director, said films are an escape for workers, and that cinema nights were a luxury many cannot afford. She said the camps were chosen for their size and that all of the ­entertainment screened would be Bollywood movies.

“We have chosen movies that are family friendly and have a moral message for everyone,” Ms Kaur said.

“It’s about self-motivation, pure entertainment and family oriented. So it’s all one package for them, to relax them a bit. We are pleased to put some joy back in their lives and help them recoup and recover from their strenuous work.”

The first screenings will be held at Dubai Investment Park and in Al Quoz.

Last year, TV producers searched for hidden talent among Dubai's labourers. Talent hunters for Colours TV's Colours Ke Sartaj visited 60 camps to look for the best performer among about 65,000 blue-collar workers.

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Thousands of dirhams up for grabs as Dubai television company sets out to find hidden talent in labour camps

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